Texas Zika case likely first locally acquired
The Texas Department of State Health Services and Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services reported that this case of Zika virus was likely transmitted by a mosquito in Texas. The 43-year-old patient is a resident of Brownsville in Cameron County who is not pregnant.
She reported no recent travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission and no other risk factors. Laboratory testing found genetic material from the Zika virus in the patient’s urine, but a blood test was negative, indicating that the virus can no longer be spread from her by a mosquito.
There are no other cases of suspected local transmission as of Nov. 28. Health officials continue to conduct disease surveillance activities as part of the state's ongoing Zika response.
“We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “We still don’t believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in parts of the state that stay relatively warm in the fall and winter.”
Brownsville recently sprayed for mosquitoes in the area and will continue to take action to reduce the mosquito population. The same day of the announcement, health workers from Cameron County and DSHS began going door-to-door in the patient’s neighborhood to educate the public about Zika, help people reduce potential mosquito breeding habitat on their property and collect voluntary urine samples to determine whether other infections are present.
Due to the risk of birth defects associated with Zika, health officials advised pregnant women to avoid traveling to Mexico and other areas of ongoing active transmission of the virus. They also advised pregnant women to avoid sexual contact or use condoms with partners who have traveled to these areas. Other precautions include:
- Using EPA-approved insect repellent.
- Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts that cover exposed skin.
- Using air conditioning or window and door screens that are in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
- Removing standing water in and around homes, including water in trash cans, toys, tires, flower pots and any other container that can hold water.
Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, though sexual transmission can occur. The four most common symptoms are fever, itchy rash, joint pain and eye redness. While symptoms are usually minor, Zika can also cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly, and other poor birth outcomes in some women infected during pregnancy.
